The India Research Tour 2025, a flagship research outreach initiative by Springer Nature in partnership with the Ministry of Education, concluded today at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Itanagar. The month-long tour, which began on 6 October in New Delhi, covered 29 institutions across 15 cities and seven states, including prominent stops at NERIST and NIT Itanagar.
The initiative focused on promoting Open Access and Open Science, driving awareness of the One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) program, strengthening research integrity via the RISE program, and encouraging diversity and inclusion through initiatives like Her Research, Our Future. Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, Springer Nature India, highlighted the Northeast’s research potential and the insights gained from engaging with institutions across India.
Professor Dhananjay Singh, ICSSR Member Secretary and RGU alumnus, said the tour helps bridge representation gaps, creating new collaboration opportunities for Northeast researchers and increasing their visibility in global research platforms.
Itanagar experienced a noticeable uptick in activity during the tour. Local bookstores, academic supply outlets, and cafés around RGU reported higher footfall, driven by students, faculty, and visiting researchers attending workshops and seminars. Market vendors noted increased sales of books, stationery, and research-related resources, reflecting the growing demand for academic products in the region.
